Through the Years

*Barbie is a trademark of Mattel Corp. and I am in no way affilliated with that Corp.





	Barbie^®, the teenage fashion model debuts. Unlike the baby dolls girls played with until then, she looks chic and sophisticated, always dressed in the latest styles. Ruth Handler, Mattel co-founder, had watched her young daughter Barbara playing teenage or adult make-believe with paper dolls, imagining them in grownup roles. Ruth realized that experimenting with the future through pretend play was an important part of growing up. To fill what she perceived as a void in the marketplace, she created Barbie^® doll, a three-dimensional fashion doll, and naturally named it after her daughter Barbara. Barbie^® doll first appeared in the now-famous black and white striped swimsuit and signature ponytail. Two other ensembles from 1959, Gay Parisienne and Roman Holiday are also nostalgic classics. Her wardrobe also included the Wedding Day dress, as well as Sweet Dreams, a Baby Doll nightie, and Suburban Shopper, both styles typical of the time.



	From the Camelot years and Jackie Kennedy elegance to Flower Power and mod looks! Barbie^® doll's appearance changed, too. In 1965 Barbie^® and her friends are given bendable legs. Her new hairstyle is known as the "American Girl." And in 1967 Barbie^® is given a new, more youthful face and long straight hair in keeping with current pop culture. A talking Barbie^® is introduced in 1968. At the start of the decade, Barbie^® doll wore styles of sophisticated elegance, such as Solo in the Spotlight. Her other fashions during that time reflected popular activities of the era, including Fashion Luncheon, Studio Tour, Outdoor Life and Saturday Matinée. By the end of the decade, fun and free-wheeling fashions were in full swing, typified by the Plush Pony ensemble.



	Fashion trends swing wildly! Barbie^® doll wears up-to-the-minute designs reflecting the prairie look, the granny dress, the California Girl suntan craze, and glittery Disco styles. Barbie^® turns Sweet 16 in 1974. A portion of Times Square is renamed "Barbie Boulevard" for a week in her honor. In 1976, Barbie^® doll's face is again resculpted to a wide smile and sun-streaked hair reflecting the latest beauty looks. Also in 1976 Barbie^® dolls are placed in time capsules and sealed during the Bicentennial celebrations to be opened in 2076 as the favorite doll of this century. Barbie^® is featured in Life Magazine in 1979 as reflecting 20 years of American fashion. During the '70s, Barbie^® doll had a constantly changing wardrobe that swung from the mod look of Live Action Barbie^®, a wild, multi-colored pants outfit to the high-fashion designs of City Sophisticate and Sleek 'n Chic. Her wardrobe also reflected an international flavor in Picture Pretty Barbie^® from Canada and Party Time Barbie^® from Germany.



	Spotlight on fitness and career variety. Barbie^® doll keeps current as an aerobics instructor, a credit card-carrying executive, a rock star and a couture-inspired sophisticate reflecting the popularity of nighttime soap operas. In 1980 fans hold the first annual Barbie^® doll convention. The first black and Hispanic Barbie^® dolls are introduced. The Dolls of the World Collection begins. In 1986 the first porcelain Barbie^® is introduced. The first Happy Holidays® doll is created in 1988. Mattel celebrates Barbie^® doll's 30th Anniversary in 1989 with Pink Jubilee Barbie^®. During the 1980s, Barbie^® doll had an extensive wardrobe that included both glamorous and casual looks. Dream Glow Fashion and Perfume Pretty Barbie^® typified glamour, while her jeans, Western and trendy designs reflected the popularity of these looks during the era.



	The new age. Barbie^® doll has stepped into the future allowing girls to use their computer to, among other things, design and print their own fashions with new CD-ROM products. Barbie^® doll has become more involved in a little girl's life with a poseable new body allowing her to be more active as a gymnast, bicyclist and skater. In 1992 the first full Barbie^® store opens at FAO Schwarz in New York City. Barbie^® becomes the first female presidential candidate. Mattel celebrates Barbie^® doll's 35th Anniversary in 1994 with a re-issue of the very first doll and a Limited Edition Gold Jubilee Barbie^®. In the 1990s, the wardrobe created for Barbie^® doll reaches new heights of elegance and drama. She wears stunning originals designed for her by Christian Dior and Bob Mackie, as well as the glittering Starlight Dance ensemble. In a classic suit, City Style Barbie^® typifies a sophisticated look of the time. Also, during this era, the Barbie^® Millicent Roberts Collection of fashions is introduced.